Edward Snowden Requests Asylum in 21 Countries: Their Responses

On Monday, WikiLeaks revealed that its legal advisor, Sarah Harrison, who is assisting Snowden in his search for a safe haven, has filed asylum requests in Russia, Ecuador and 19 other countries. Initial reports tallied the total number of countries at 15.

Reports still indicate that Snowden is trapped inside the transit area of Moscow's Sheremyetevo airport, where he landed after leaving Hong Kong last week. After leaking secret NSA documents leading to various revelations of wide-ranging surveillance programs, the U.S. government charged Snowden with espionage, theft and conversion of government property.

Below is a list of the countries where Snowden applied for asylum — and their responses (so far).

Update: On Friday, WikiLeaks tweeted that Snowden has applied to another six countries for asylum. They were not immediately named due to "attempted U.S. interference."

Austria: The answer is no, at least until Snowden submits his application in person on Austrian soil. However, Austria's Minister of the Interior Johanna Mikl-Leitner said he would not be deported in the case he landed in the country, because for now, "there is no international arrest warrant."

Bolivia: Hasn't yet received a request, according to Bolivia's President Evo Morales. In an interview with the Kremlin-funded Russia Today television, Morales said he would consider the possibility. "Yes, why not," he said, according to CNN.

Brazil: The answer is a definitive no. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the country will leave the request unanswered, according to Reuters.

China: No response. At a daily news briefing, Hua Chunying, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said she had no information on Snowden's asylum application, per The Wall Street Journal.

Cuba: No response.

Ecuador: No, for now. President Rafael Correa told The Guardian that he won't consider Snowden's requests until Snowden is in Ecuador.

Finland: No, for now. As with many other countries, Finland requires Snowden to be present in the country before applying for asylum. "He just left a letter requesting asylum at the Finnish Embassy in Moscow. According to Finnish legislation, it is not possible to leave an asylum application outside the Finnish territory," Jorma Vuorio, director general for the Finnish Immigration Service, told CNN.

Germany (updated): No. Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said that the right to stay in Germany is granted for humanitarian reasons, which he do not apply in this case, as The Guardian reported.

Iceland (updated): No. Icelandic member of parliament Birgitta Jonsdottir posted to her official blog that the parliament refused to discuss the matter of Snowden’s citizenship before adjourning for the summer.

India: No. On Twitter, Syed Akbaruddin, India's spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, said that following careful examination, they have conclude that they "see no reason to accede to the Snowden request."

Ireland: No, for now. As with other countries, those seeking asylum in Ireland must be in the country to apply, the Irish Justice Ministry said.

Italy (updated): No. Foreign MInister Emma Bonino said Italy could not support Snowden's request, adding that any asylum request would have to be presented in person at the border or in Italian territory, per Reuters.

The Netherlands: No response.

Nicaragua: No response.

Norway: No, for now. "Applying for asylum should be done on Norwegian soil. According to normal procedures … his demand will be denied," Norwegian Deputy Justice Secretary Paal Loenseth told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.

Russia: No. According to the news agency RIA Novosti, Snowden withdrew his request after Putin said Snowden must stop "harming" the interests of the U.S. if he wanted to stay in Russia.

Spain: No, for now. The Spanish consulate in Moscow confirmed receiving a fax signed by Snowden, but also said that Spanish law requires asylum applicants to be in the country's territory when applying. Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel García-Margallo also told Spanish newspaper El Pais that the document is invalid because Snowden's signature is not verified.

Switzerland: No response yet. According to The Wall Street Journal, asylum applicants must be in Swiss territory to apply, but can request a three-month humanitarian visa to fly to Switzerland and apply for asylum. However, these visas are usually granted when a person's life is in danger.

Venezuela: Maybe. According to Russian news agencies, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said during a visit to Russia, "We haven't been asked for help, but when he asks, he will have an answer." He added that Snowden "deserves the world’s protection."

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